Device for removal of deleterious substances from tobacco smoke



Jan. 30, 1968 BR H 7 3,366,123

DEVICE FOR REMOVAL OF DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FROM TOBACCO SMOKE Filed Oct. 23, 1965 F" Flag/30 F P 32 INVENTOR 43: e. rear/95F: W ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,366,123 DEVICE FOR REMOVAL OF DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FROM TOBACCO SMOKE Abe R. Brothers, 3215 Avenue H, Brooklyn, NX. 11210 Filed Oct. 23, 1955, Ser. No. 503,596 18 Claims. (Cl. 131-105) This invention relates generally to cigarette construction, and is particularly concerned with the provision of a unique and highly improved device in a cigarette for effectively removing tars, resins, nicotine, dust and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke. It is an improvement over my invention as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,764,513, dated Sept. 25, 1956. g

It is an important object of the present invention to provide in a cigarette construction, a device which is capable of being conveniently and inexpensively incorporated in cigarettes during manufacture thereof, and which effectively removes tars, resins, nicotine, dust and other deleterious materials from the tobacco smoke before entering the smokers mouth, and without detracting from the taste, feel and draw of the cigarette.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide, in a cigarette construction, an insert having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, which is extremely simple in structure, foolproof in operation, and relatively inexpensive so as to economically justify discard with the cigarette.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a cigarette constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 2a is a sectional View similar to FIGURE 2, but showing a modification.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3a is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing a modified embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4a is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing a modified embodiment.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal view showing a convenient method of manufacturing an insert according to the teachings of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and specifically to FIGURES 1-4 thereof, a cigarette is generally designated 10, and includes a cigarette paper or other suitable external wrapper 11 over the tobacco 14. A tubular, generally cylindrical insert cover tube 13 is conformably joined to the cigarette by cork or other conventional tipping 12. The tipping 12 covers a small portion of the cigarette 10 and the entire length of cover tube 13, said cover tube being self-sustaining.

The cover tube 13 may be fabricated of cardboard, or other suitable material. Snugly fitting interiorly of the cover tube 13 is an insert or device, generally designated 20. The insert device 20 includes an elongate shank 21 extending coaxially within the cover tube 13 having one end 22 adjacent to and in holding engagement with the 3,366,123 Patented Jan. 30, 1968 tobacco end 15. The other shank end 23 is adjacent to the tipping or cover tube end 16. The shank 21 may be of generally circular cross section, or otherwise, if desired.

At spaced locations along the shank 21, there are carried by the shank a plurality of at least three circular enlargements or discs 24, 25 and 26. The discs 24, 25 and 26 are in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, coaxial with the shank 21, and have their peripheral edges engaging the interior surface of the cover tube 13. It will be observed that the enlargement or disc 24 is located adjacent to and spaced from the tobacco end 15, combining with the latter and the adjacent encompassing portion of cover tube 13 to define therebetween a smoke passage and smoke-accumulation space or chamber 27 surrounding the shank portion 28 extending from the disc 24 to shank end 22. Shank 28 also serves to keep the tobacco particles in position.

The remaining pair of enlargements or discs 25 and 26 are located in adjacent, closely spaced relation with respect to each other, and are remotely spaced from the disc 24. As is apparent in FIGURE 1, the disc 26 is closest to the cover tube end 16, while the disc 25 is closest to the disc 24, although widely spaced from the latter disc. Thus, a relatively large space or chamber 30 is defined between the discs 24 and 25 encompassed by the intermediate portion of cover tube 13 and surrounding the shank portion 31 intermediate the discs 24 and 25. The chamber 30 thus defined provides a cooling chamber, as will appear more fully hereinafter. It will be noted that the shank portion 31 extending between discs 24 and 25 is of reduced diameter, as compared to the shank portion 28.

The space 32 defined between the closely spaced discs 25 and 26 and surrounding portions of cover tube 13 provides an impingement chamber, also described more illy hereinafter. The shank portion 33 extending between discs 25 and 26 is also of reduced diameter, similar to the shank portion 31. The remaining shank portion 34 extending from the disc 26 to shank end 23 may be relatively enlarged, similar to the shank end portion 28.

The several enlargements or discs 24 and 26 are each provided on its peripheral edge with cutouts, illustrated in the preferred embodiment as serrations, but capable of assuming various configurations. In particular, the peripheral edge of disc 24 may be provided at circumferentially spaced locations thereabout with several series of serrations or cutouts 36, 37, 38 and 39. In the illustrated embodiment, the separate groups of serrations are angularly spaced about degrees apart, and the serrations extend widthwise entirely across the peripheral edge of the disc. However, if desired, the serrations may be continued uninterruptedly around the periphery of the disc. The serrations 36-39 combine with the adjacent portions of cover tube 13 to define cool area openings or passageways, as at 40, 41, 42 and 43 each communicating between the chambers 27 and 31 on opposite sides of the disc 24 for the purposes of precluding tobacco particles from passing through, and also to cool the smoke passing therethrough.

The disc 25 is formed on its peripheral edge with a plurality of restricted openings 44, 45, 46 and 47, the aggregate cross-sectional area of which is equivalent to a circle of the order of .015" to .070" diameter, wherein the restricted openings are widthwise entirely across the edge of the disc to define respective passageways or openings communicating between chambers 30 and 32 On opposite sides of the disc 25. As is apparent in FIG- URES 2 and 3, the restricted openings 44 to 47 are angularly spaced from the serrations or cutouts 36, 37, 38 and 39, so as to be out of alignment with the latter cutouts longitudinally of the cover tube 13.

The disc 26 is also similarly formed at spaced locations on its peripheral edge with groups of cutouts r serrations, as at 48 to 51. The cutouts or serrations 48, 49, 50 and 51 extend entirely across the peripheral edge of disc 26 and combine with the adjacent portions of cover tube 13 to define through Openings or passageways communicating between the chamber 32 and the other side of disc 26 which opens through to the cover end 16. It will also be observed that the groups of serrations 48 to 51 are located in angularly spaced relation with respect to the restricted openings of the disc 25, so as to be offset from the latter Openings longitudinally of the cover tube 13.

While the serrations or cutouts of the dies 24 and 26 may assume other configurations, as noted above, the toothed, scalloped or pinked configuration is desirable in affording support to the adjacent portions of cover tube 13.

The device or insert may be molded and/ or formed from any suitable thermoplastic or other suitable material; all shanks and enlargements are integral of said device or insert.

In operation, when smoke is not being drawn through the cigarette, there will be an accumulation of smoke in chamber 27, and upon smoke being drawn through the cigarette the smoke will pass relatively rapidly through the openings 40, 41, 42 and 43. This rapid passageway through the openings, and the location of the openings at the outer extremity of the disc adjacent to the cover tube 13 effects substantial cooling of the smoke. By reason of the relatively large size of the cooling chamber 30, further considerable cooling is effected. This is a prerequisite, in addition to velocity, for the maximum impingement results.

Drawing of smoke through the cigarette effects relatively rapid velocity of the cooled smoke through the restricted openings 44 to 47 of disc 25, so that the smoke impinges with rapid velocity, upon the closely spaced next-adjacent disc 26 at locations out of alignment with the openings 48 to 51 of the latter disc. This results in a substantial removal of liquids and solids which are deposited on the surface of disc 26 facing disc 25, and the relatively clean smoke may then pass through the openings 48 to 51 of disc 26 to the smokers mouth through the circumferential recesses surrounding shank portion 34.

Economy and convenience in manufacture of the insert 20 has been found by utilization of the molded form 55 shown in FIGURE 5. By this means, a relatively long molded form 55 may be produced, wherein a series of sections 20, each corresponding to the insert 20 described hereinbefore, are detachably connected together in opposed, end-to-end relationship. Thus, a pair of adjacent molded sections 20 may have their shank portions 34 connected together in end-to-end relation by a reduced, frangible portion 55. Separation of adjacent insert sections 20 is readily achieved by fracture or cutting of the frangible portion 55. Similarly, the opposite end portions 28 are connected together in adjacent end-to-end relationship by a reduced, frangible portion 56, and separated by fracture or cutting of the frangible portion.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 2a and 4a, there are shown discs 24a and 26a corresponding to previously described discs 24 and 26. However, the peripheral cutouts of discs 24a and 26a may assume slot or groove formations, rather than the serrated or toothed formations first described. Thus, disc 24a is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots or grooves 36a, 37a, 38a and 39a, each extending entirely across the peripheral edge of the disc 24a. The disc 26a is similarly formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cutouts in the nature of slots or grooves 480 to 51a extending entirely across the peripheral edge of the disc. The edge slots or grooves of discs 24a and 2611 are preferably out of alignment with the cutouts of disc longitudinally of the cover tube 13, in the same manner as the firstdescribed embodiment.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a cigarette construction for removal of deleterious materials from tobacco smoke which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, as applied to a cigarette, obviously the invention may be used effectively with any other tobacco-smoking article, as for instance with cigars, pipes, holders, mouthpieces and bits, and it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a cigarette having a tobacco rea, a self-sustaining cylindrical cover tube, the interior part of said cover tube containing a snugly fit device for removing tar and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke, said device comprising an elongate shank disposed coaxially within said cover tube extending from the tobacco to the other end of said cover tube, and at least three parallel spaced generally circular enlargements defining a first disc nearest the tobacco, a second disc and a third disc, all carried coaxially on said shank and in peripheral engagement with the interior of said cover tube, said discs having edge cutouts defining openings between said cover tube and discs and each opening communicating between opposite sides of the respective discs, cutouts of each disc being circumferentially spaced from the cutouts of the adjacent discs to offset the openings out of alignment with each other longitudinally of the cover tube.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said openings of the first and third discs are of small enough magnitude to prevent tobacco particles passing therethrough while permitting free fiow of smoke therethrough and also for providing a cooling area, and the cross-sectional area of the combined openings of each said first and third discs being substantially greater than the crosssectional area of the combined openings in the second disc.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second discs are relatively widely spaced to define therebetween a smoke cooling chamber.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said second and third discs are relatively closely spaced to define therebetween a rapid velocity smoke-impingement chamber.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and third discs are spaced from opposite ends of said shank, to define a smoke accumulating chamber between said tobacco and said first disc and a space between said third disc and the end of said shank remote from said tobacco.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the combined cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings of the second disc is equivalent to the area of a circle of the order of .015 inch to .070 inch diameter.

7. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second discs are relatively widely spaced to define therebetween a smoke-cooling chamber, and the second and third discs are relatively closely spaced to define therebetween a rapid velocity smoke-impingement chamber.

8. The combination according to claim 7, said shank being of reduced diameter in each of said cooling and impingement chambers.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the cutouts on said first and third discs are angularly spaced shallow arcuate slots, one wall of which is the inner surface of said cover tube.

10. An insert for a cigarette and oher tobacco-smoking articles for removing tar and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke comprising a self-sustaining cylindrical cover tube, an elongate shank snugly disposed coaxially within said cover tube, at least three parallel spaced discs defining a first, a second and a third disc carried by said shank coaxially thereof, said first and second discs being relatively widely spaced, said second and third discs being relatively closely spaced, and all said discs each being formed with peripheral edge cutous extending between opposite faces thereof, the cutouts of each disc being out of alignment longitudinally of said shank with the cutouts of the next adjacent disc.

11. The comibnation set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second discs are relatively widely spaced to define therebetween a smoke cooling chamber.

12. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said second and third discs are relatively closely spaced to define therebetween a rapid velocity smoke-impingement chamber.

13. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and third discs are spaced from opposite ends of said shank, to define a smoke-accumulating chamber between said tobacco and said first disc and a space between said third disc and the end of said shank remote from said tobacco.

14. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein the combined cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings of the second disc is equivalent to the area of a circle of the order of .015 inch to .070 inch diameter.

15. The combination set forth in claim wherein said first and second discs are relatively widely spaced to define therebetween a smoke-cooling chamber, and the sec- 0nd and third discs are relatively closely spaced to define therebetween a rapid velocity smoke-impingement chamber.

16. The combination set forth in claim 10, wherein said shank is of reduced diameter in each of said cooling and impingement chambers.

17. An insert for a cigarette and other tobacco-smoking articles for removing tar and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke comprising an elongate shank, at least three parallel spaced discs defining a first, a second and a third disc carried by said shank coaxially thereof, said first and second discs being relatively widely spaced, said second and third discs being relatively closely spaced, and all said discs each being formed with peripheral edge cutouts extending between opposite faces thereof, the cutouts of said first disc being substantially uniform and continuous around the periphery thereof.

18. In combination with a cigarette, a self-sustaining cylindrical cover tube, the interior part of said cover tube containing a snugly fit device for removing tar and other deleterious substances from tobacco smoke, said device comprising an elongate shank disposed coaxially within said cover tube extending from the tobacco to the other end of said cover tube, and at least three parallel spaced generally circular enlargements defining a first disc nearest the tobacco, a second disc and a third disc, all carried coaxially on said shank and in peripheral engagement with the interior of said cover tube, said discs having edge cutouts defining openings between said cover tube and discs and each opening communicating between 0pposite sides of the respective discs, the cutouts of said first disc being substantially uniform and continuous around the periphery thereof, and the cutouts of the second disc being circumferentially spaced from the cutouts of the third disc to offset the respective openings out of alignment with each other longitudinally of the cover tube.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,167,076 1/1965 Mar 13 110.5 3,330,284 7/1967 Seman et al 131-10.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 827,884 1/1952 Germany. 155,189 12/ 1920 Great Britain.

LUCIE H. LAUDENSLAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CIGARETTE HAVING A TABACCO AREA, OF SELF-SUSTAINING CYLINDRICAL COVER TUBE, THE INTERIOR PART OF SAID COVER TUBE CONTAINING A SNUGLY FIT DEVICE FOR REMOVING TAR AND OTHER DELETERIOUS SUBSTANCES FROM TOBACCO SMOKE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE SHANK DISPOSED COAXIALLY WITHIN SAID COVER TUBE EXTENDING FROM THE TOBACCO TO THE OTHER END OF SAID COVER TUBE, AND AT LEAST THREE PARALLEL SPACED GENERALLY CIRCULAR ENLARGEMENTS DEFINING A FIRST DISC NEAREST THE TOBACCO, A SECOND DISC AND A THIRD DISC, ALL CARRIED COAXIALLY ON SAID SHANK AND IN PERIPHERAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EXTERIOR OF SAID COVER 